Sunday, November 24, 2013

Montreal, Saturday, November 23, 2013 – The Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) will end tomorrow, after presenting 135 films and an array of events and parallel activities. The award winners for the 16th edition of the RIDM were announced this Saturday night at the closing event held at Cinéma Excentris.

GRAND PRIZE FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE

Presented by Porter Airlines, the Grand Prize for Best International Feature was awarded to E agora? Lembra-me,filmed diary both intimate and universal journal by Joaquim Pinto. The jury was particularly moved “by the breadth and depth of the reflections; the beauty of the words and the images that Joaquim and his companion Nuno share with the viewer in their daily lives”.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN AN INTERNATIONAL FEATURE

Presented by La Presse, the award for cinematography went to Tzvetanka by Youlian Tabakov that explores Bulgaria’s tumultuous history through the director’s grandmother’s story. The jury particularly appreciated “the film’s textures and its compositional strength”.

BEST EDITING IN AN INTERNATIONAL FEATURE

The award for editing went to Let the fire burn by Jason Osder for “its intelligent and poignant deconstruction of archival media images”. The documentary examines one of the most tragic events in the modern history of Philadelphia.

Presented by TV5, the Grand Prize for Best Canadian Feature was awarded to Dominic Gagnon for his film Hoax_Canular that “expands our very notions of documentation by repurposing contemporary found footage but also explores adolescent need for belonging”.

A special mention was awarded to Night Labor by Ashley Sabin and David Redmon.

Presented by Post Moderne, the award for Best New Talent from Quebec/Canada went to Khoa Lê for the film Bà noî (grandma), for “its intimate and complex examination of living at the intersection of two cultures.” Khoa Lê shows his grandmother’s colourful personality in a sensitive portrait.

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM

Presented by Chubb Insurance Company of Canada, the award for best international short went to Da Vinci by Yuri Ancarani. The jury appreciated a film “taking on both the issue of the extension of the look in the contemporary world and the complex and active relationship that links humanity to technology.” This dazzling documentary offers an audiovisual experience from inside the human body.

The jury also awarded a special mention to A story for the Modlins by Sergio Oksman.

BEST INTERNATIONAL MEDIUM-LENGTH FILM

Presented by Télé-Québec, the award for best international medium-length film went toA new product by Harun Farocki. The jury described it as a film “that forces us to think acutely about our society.”

The art of disappearing by Bartek Konopka and Piotr Rosolowskireceived a special mention.

The international short and medium-length jury was composed of Mireille Dansereau, Marcel Jean and Marco Lamensch.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Presented by documentary, the People’s Choice award is presented to a film from the Official Competition and Panorama sections selected by audience votes. This year’s award went to The Square by Jehane Noujaim, which was also the opening film of the festival. The audience appreciated this spectacular and moving documentary epic about the recent events in Egypt.

MAGNUS ISACSSON AWARD

Created last year in tribute to beloved Montreal documentary filmmaker Magnus Isacsson, the Magnus Isacsson Award is presented to an up-and-coming Canadian director for a work demonstrating exceptional social consciousness. The award went to Mélanie Carrier andOlivier Higgins for Québékoisie for its “uniting and essential message for us Québécois and all people.” This documentary attempts to better understand the relations between Quebec’s aboriginal and non-aboriginal people.

A special mention was awarded to À jamais, pour toujours d’Alexandra Sicotte-Lévesque.

Composed of five women inmates of the Joliette Institution – Christine, Ginette, Isabelle, Johanne and Karine – this jury selected a winner from among eight Official Competition and Panorama films screened for them. They decided upon the film Expedition to the End of the World byDaniel Dencik. The film follows a sailing expedition to the least accessible part of the northern polar region.

The jury also awarded a special mention to Salma by Kim Longinotto.

Quebec’s only film festival dedicated to documentaries, the Montreal International Documentary Festivalpresents the best reality‐based films, including the works of established directors and new talents.